Finally, a crispy, guilt-free snack.
When I first met my friend Isobel, she was a random roommate who moved into my apartment in San Francisco. She told me she knew the apartment was perfect for her when she saw the photos of the massive kitchen and all of my fancy cooking appliances. She brought with her a thousand food tricks learned from a lifetime in the industry. We quickly got into a routine of cooking together, from simple lunches to elaborate meals like birria and mapo tofu. One night, when gearing up for an Asian feast, I was scouring the market looking for an appetizer when Isobel approached me, beaming and clutching a bag of shishito peppers. I had never tried them before, and a few hours later, after we’d seared them and dunked them in soy sauce and ginger, I thought I was eating the best substitute for popcorn in the world. They became a mainstay in our apartment.
The Portuguese supposedly brought the peppers to Japan in the 16th century. The name shishito comes from the Japanese word shishi, meaning “lion,” named because the peppers have a creased green tip that is said to resemble the head of a lion. Shishito peppers soon became a fixture in Japanese cuisine, being carefully bred for specific flavor characteristics. Nowadays, with the rise of izakayas (Japanese bars that serve snacks), shishito peppers have become a common snacking item on many menus.
Shishito peppers are young, green peppers; if they were left on the plant to mature, they would eventually turn bright red. The skin is glossy and wrinkled, but thin and crisp. The peppers can have notes of citrus and ground pepper, and, when charred, will have a lovely smoky undertone. Lemon, olive oil, and salt enhance the natural sweet zing of a shishito, and a sesame seed topping gives an extra crunch and nutty flavor.
Are Air-Fryer Shishito Peppers Healthy?
Low-carb and low-calorie, shishito peppers are a healthy snack. They are rich in vitamins A and C, along with other antioxidants. Lemon adds more antioxidants to the party as well. This dish is gluten-free, Paleo, and suitable for vegans. If you’re trying to wean yourself off the kind of salty snacks you usually pour into a bowl for movie night, like chips or pretzels, air-fried shishito peppers are an excellent healthy swap.
Sitting Low On The Scoville Scale
For the most part, shishito peppers rank fairly low on the Scoville scale, averaging 50-200 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) per pepper. However, beware! One out of every 10 peppers will be extra spicy, making for a fun gamble as you eat. If you can’t tolerate heat, this gamble means shishito peppers aren’t a good snack for you.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover cooked peppers can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week, and yes, a cold, charred pepper is pretty good, too. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
This is a classic appetizer for a night spent with friends enjoying Healthy California Roll Sushi Bites, Spicy Tuna, or Sushi Burritos. Your options for dipping sauces are endless, as Gyoza Sauce, Japanese BBQ Sauce, and Lemon Aioli will all taste exquisite. Or, just serve the peppers over a mound of rice.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces shishito peppers
- Olive oil spray
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Kosher salt to taste
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- Sesame seeds for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Rinse peppers under cold water, then dry with paper towels. Coat peppers with olive oil spray.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
- Place peppers in the air fryer in a single layer. Cook the peppers for 6-9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are soft and slightly charred.
- Toss with zest and salt. Squeeze lemon wedges over the peppers. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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